Virgin London Marathon 2011 First Timers

vds, no, fairly sure I didn't snore, but I had started to dribble! Don't you hate it when that happens?

Good news is I went out for a half hour trot on Tuesday, no pain. So I'm planning on a 3 mile Treddie session this evening having worked out the "newfangled video display ipod thingy" so it's an episode of House... a few crunches & a sauna for me.

I'm with you vds, I've tried gels, but I'm not convinced I felt the benefits & I did find them a bit odd digestion wise & yes they made my mouth dry too. So like you I prefer Jelly Babies.. Any excuse.  

Thanks vds - good to be back except have been working pretty much non stop catching up on things!

I had an absolutely amazing run last night - as I said before started running in POSE, which was knocking hell our of my calves but done a 30 minute jogging session last night and only a slight twinge so guess my calves are builiding up to the required strength now  - have been doing a lot of calf strengthening exercises as well. It makes such a difference to be able to walk after a run  .Only been running this way for about 3 weeks now so felt really good as was getting quite frustrated with the pain, missing doing long runs at the minute though but not so naive as I was a year ago so will take my time!

Good to see your pain disappearing as well Helen, I am a fan of the gels but am interested in the jelly baby theory as have heard a few people talk about them! Anyone know how many jelly babies you need to eat to get the same suppossed effect from a gel? Answers on a postcard - I'm genuinely interested!

Catch y'all later

Hi Everyone,

I managed to get a club place last year but ended up defering due to injury,broken metertarsal whilst out running.

Anyway, its my first time at a full marathon and not sure if excited or scared sh####ss.

I was wondering how you other people are training, have you started marathon training or waiting until January to start

I've done plenty of half's, last being GNR, finished in 2.02. 

I'm currently doing 3 sessions a week, normally about 20 to 25 miles per week.

Im doing it as a first timer, I actually hoped to do it in a few years but I applied because I was told me you never get it on your first time and they do statistics to see how many times you have applied. I thought this would help me get it in a few years, and what happened I get a ballot place, first time.
Im running for macmillan simply because a lot of the other charitys I called failed to give me the time of day.

Im currently doing my running based on time to ensure I can spend a fixed period on my feet rather than fixed running distances,  Im currently pretty slow and running at a pace just over 8 minute per miles.
my last official timed offering was a 10k which I completed in 49 minutes.

I can't say im really excited about it though, I expect this will change on the day however.

Squeakz wrote (see)

Im I can't say im really excited about it though, I expect this will change on the day however.

lol @ Squeakz - I am totally excited about it!!! Looking out the window at the black sky and p1ssing rain looking forward to getting up at 5.30 tomorrow to get a wee run in - maybe I am just mental though

There are various different levels on this thread so I wouldn't say 8 minute miles are slow (I run around that and think I am pretty fast ) Good on you for raising funds for Macmillan - especially as you got a ballot place.

Hi Andy, my last "race" was the Glasgow 1/2 in September and been pretty much injured since then so just starting to get the miles back in now - I will have done 9 this week after tomorrow  Aiming to be back up to around 15 - 20 a week before Xmas and then hitting the training plan in January too. Good luck with your training!

Miggito wrote (see)

lol @ Squeakz - I am totally excited about it!!! Looking out the window at the black sky and p1ssing rain looking forward to getting up at 5.30 tomorrow to get a wee run in - maybe I am just mental though

There are various different levels on this thread so I wouldn't say 8 minute miles are slow 

.Lol yup I think getting up at 5:30 counts as pretty mental in my book, but good on you I wish I had that kind of motivation. I work with a couple of guys who do triathlons and ultra's and the speed they run at is amazing, perhaps they are really fast rather than me being as slow as I think, who knows.

Im getting sorted though, I have my fueling sorted out allready having tried a large number of gels nd other things. I don't get on with the popular jelly baby idea though, I find chewing them effects how I breath.

Im currently doing about 20-25 a week at the moment and want to up this before xmas if everything goes to plan.  Are you following a training schedule?

Hello Everyone- Im also running the Virgin London Marathon 2011 (First Timer).

 How is everyones training going?

Im currently doing 3 x 7mile runs a week at the minute which I hope to up before the "real" training begins!

I have a Q. though..... Some days i feel fantastic and could run alot longer, and some, im tired and feel sick, mostly after a run I have found difficult- I suspect this is down to days where I a not taking on enough fluids, but i cant believe how much it knocks me for six! Anyone else get this?

 Aimee xxx

Squeakz - I'd love to be running 8 minute miles - currently running at about 10 mins so ultra slow!!

My other half is a big cyclist and has got me a powder carb / electrolyte drink by Torq to have while running - it tastes great and I'm certainly able to run further for longer (or am I just getting fitter??!).  Not sure about gels - bit of a funny texture - def prefer jelly babies but I do struggle with the breathing & chewing - not a pretty sight!!

Got my first sponsors in on my fundraising page so am delighted - good motivation! I also got a ballot place first time - totally unexpected - and hopefully can raise a decent amount of cash for Everyman too.

Great to hear everyone's tales......

I've got the Torq powders as well nik40, I have the natural pink grapefruit flavor which is lovely.
I know what you mean about the texture of gels, some kind of remind meof the syrup I put on top of ice cream as a child.

Good on you  for getting the first sponsors in

 Aimee - I used to get a sicky feeling on the odd ocassion. Now I have a routine where eat a banana or cereal bar an hour before going out and make certain that I always take an isotonic drink with me.

 Howdy all

Little N/ Miggito - thanks for the advice on gels i will check them out.

Vds.. i find jelly babies not quite so nice as usual in a race and you have to carry and access them but hey seeing as you will be at Norwich once i find out your number i will know where to come for a sneaky jelly baby!!! Very exciting for your first race... what time are you expecting? Hope the weather isnt like this.

Squeakz... you slouch only 8 minute miles!!! If only i could run that fast!!

Aimee - i think feeling sick is pushing yourself too hard. I just been at a cross country relay event with my son - he was the runner in the lead on his lap and was sick several times... didnt think about stopping running! and giving up his lead! So feeling sick has surely got to be better than that!!!!! Hope i dont follow in his footsteps in April!

Helen... glad you are getting back into it again.Good excuse not to run in this awful weather tho

Have good weekend all

He he, thats a very determined son you have there mattys mum- I normally feel 'off' for a whole day but soon settle back down.

I need to try some of these gels, the VLM uses Lucozade ones I hear?

And 8 minute miles squeakz? Thats a pretty good pace!!!!!!! Also how do you have the drive to get up at 5:30 am? I function better around the 'other' 5:30 (i.e after work) but i would love to be able to drag myself out of bed at that time. Hasnt happened so far though lol

Just come back from my long run of about 10 miles and got a little bit of cramp in my hamstring, its really frustrating. It seems to be the only thing I need to overcome at this time. I feel really good in myself and can hold a conversation all through the distance. I feel full of energy at the end.

 Aimee, I would most certainly advise buying a selection of gels before hand and trying them if  you are considering using them as they vary greatly in consistency. I have found that some were so difficult to digest for me personally that I suffered cramp or indigestion.
Its also quite interesting to see how things such as packet design massively effects use, some packets I physically were unable to open while running, while others opened easily. -- It's personal preference and worth investigating different products.

It's Miggito who looks forward to getting up at 5.30 tomorrow to get a wee run in, not myself.. I have so much respect for dedication like that. I generally rise around 6:00 and head to the gym. I do however prefer the early mornings as later in the evenings I simply want to wind down and chill.

morning , how is everyone ? went out for a 5 1/2 mile run before work this morning , am pleased with how things are going so far , gradually building up the mileage every week . 3 runs last week 12.76 miles and three this week 14.75   nice steady build up is the key I'm told !

hello aimee , squeakz and andy  , welcome to the forum

Hi all

This will be my first marathon, got a ballot place first time and I will be raising money for Shelter.

7 miles this morning. Following a Garmin plan . Downloaded a 16 week plan to my 305,  added a few weeks and adjusted some of the days I will be running to allow for weekends/ nights out I have planned over the festive period. I completed a half in September but am certainly running alot more now- 5 times a week. Altough as yet my longest run since the half has only been 9 miles- it steps up pretty soon. Am quite nervous about the long runs but fortunatley I live in a lovely area (Wiltshire) and have some great quiet places (traffic free) to run. The Garmin trainng plan hasd a max distance of 20 miles for a LSR but I would really like to do a couple of 22 milers before the marathon- psychologically I think I need to do this. What is the max distance everyone else is doing before the mararthon? I don't want to burn out but I think I will extend those 20 milers to 22.

 M-J

Hi M-J

nice to see another new face  on my plan it has two 18 mile runs as the longest , I think every plan has different max lengths , may tweak mine to do 20 instead of 18 ? as you say may be the barrier I need to go through .

Morning All!

Just got back from an 8 mile trot down to the seafront & back via the War Memorial averaging 10 minute miles in the pouring rain. Felt good. Do you know I quite like running in the rain, don't get too hot & there is something quite satisfying about getting home dripping wet.. Maybe I'm just a tad odd?

I'm following a 23 week plan with a slow build up - I'm better motivated when I'm following a plan. I've done 18 miles this week, 3 Tuesday, 4 Thursday, 3 Friday & then the 8 this morning.

On the great Jelly Baby debate - I've used both SIS Gels & Jelly Babies, prefer the later. don't necessarily chew though, they disolve quite pleasingly. Do use Lucozade Sport drink though & I'm not keen so I'm gonna try the Torq Powders, ta.

Aimee - Maybe you should mix it up a bit, perhaps you'd be better doing 2 x 3 miles, a 4 & then a long weekend run with a day off before & after the long one. Also, yes lack of water WILL make you feel shocking! Try to drink at least 2 litres a day, I make up bottles of squash & sip it throughout the day. It's a fag, but I do feel better!   

Morning squeakz take it easy on that ham string - Ouch! Hurt mine last year (one leg longer than the other, sorted by a trip to the Osteo/Chiro bloke,) but long road to recovery. Wish I'd got it checked when I first felt a twinge! 

Nik I'm with you 8 minute miles, I wish! 10k maybe, but any longer & I need to go slow.. Been doing a bit of threshold training on the Treddie though & am definately feeling the benefits - Makes the treddie time less tiresome to!

Well, my lovely husband has just suggested Roast at the pub..  Byeee

Hi

well done Mike....I`m now tapering to Norwich half 2 weeks. Went for a 12 mile run this morning before it rained... it was nice to think that will be the last 12 mile training run this year! It was more of a steady run rather than a LSR... today i didnt go with a gel just water. Plus side i didnt feel sick but down side i had less energy last few miles. Got plenty of time before April to try out a selection of gels.

Its raining now, footie is on so thats me for the rest of the day!

Have a good week everyone

M-J

I am gonna extend the 20 mile runs to 22 too! Just feel good to get slightly nearer the 26

Hi

yes...that's what I thought re the long runs....if I get it into my head I can 22 miles I'll be thinking only 4 miles to go!! Well that's the plan anyway.

Interesting talk around the gels. I've never used them but know I'll need to. I don't like running with a bottle, which will be fine for the marathon as there are plenty of water stations but I may have to carry one for my longer runs in training or conveniently place them at several points along my route before I set off. The furthest I have ever run is a half and for that I didn't use any gels but I did have some dextrose sweets at miles 6,9 and 12. After trying jelly babies and beans in training I found the dextrose sweets easier as I didn't need to chew they just dissolved. Too much energy needed to chew!

Will give some gels a try after Christmas. My longest run before Christmas is 14 miles and I'm hoping the dextrose sweets will keep me going for that distance again. Water...though I may need to start carrying a bottle.